SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT IN ALBANIA: OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES

Budva, June 2019

Enkelejda MALAJMINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE & ENERGY

Director of EU Integration, Coordination, Agreements & Assistance

o Institutional framework;

o Policy framework:

o Challenges and opportunities in achieving sustainable transport;

o Good practices: improving sustainable public transport.

Outline

Institutional framework

Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, responsible for transportpolicy, as well as energy issues, electricity, water, wastewaterservices in Albania.

Ministry of Tourism and Environment, in charge of policymaking for environmental protection, sustainable use of naturalresources, promotion of renewable resources, protection ofnature and biodiversity, sustainable development, and also ofwater quality monitoring.

Various subordinate institutions and agencies, at central & locallevel.

Policy frameworkDCM Nr. 348, dated 11.05.2016

The National Strategy for Development and Integration 2015-2020 (NSDI-II)

Vision: An efficient transport system, integrated in the region & in the EU network, which promotes economic development and the quality of citizen life.

Transport Objectives: Accelerate the integration of the transport system;

Establish an integrated market of land, sea and inland transport infrastructure, that efficiently supports transport demand.

National Transport Strategy and Action Plan 2016-2020

DCM No. 811/16.11.2016 • SP1. Increase transport sector governance to provide better transport services to citizens

and businesses alike;• SP2. Develop and implement measures to improve the utilization rate of transport

infrastructure by removal of physical and non-physical bottlenecks and unnecessarytechnical cross border barriers;

• SP3. Ensure harmonization with EU transport regulatory framework to create commonmarket conditions and safety standards at national level and within the neighboring region;

• SP4. Develop co-modal solutions by optimization of individual transport modes and focuson energy- efficient and environmentally friendly transport modes;

• SP5. Introduce measures for reducing energy consumption and costs per unit of transportservice;

• SP6. Put forward measures to improve the share of railway and waterborne transport,foster liberalization of railway services and open rail transport market to competition;

• SP7. Enhance aviation transport activities and air traffic cooperation in the region andimplement the JSPA initiative to facilitate air transport (strongest air carriers taking advantageof using Tirana airport as a regional hub for air transport in the South East Europe);

• SP8. Increase the use of Intelligent Transport Systems in the transport sector.• Sustainable Transport Plan, EBRD

NTSAP Long-Term Outcomes

Sustainable Transport: Challenges & Opportunities

October 2017 - inter-institutional working group monitors NTSAPimplementation;

First monitoring report ANTP3 June 2018; second review of the nationaltransport plan is expected to be adopted during the second quarter of 2019;

Legislative: approximation of the national transport legislation with EU acquis– railway sector, public-service obligations, public-service contracts,qualification of road transport operators, inspectors and road safety audits,maritime sector, aviation, combined transport legislation, passenger rights,etc.;

Transport Community Treaty signed in July 2017 – Western Balkans Summit 6,Trieste – ratified in February 2018; - additional instrument to enhance nationalefforts;

Financial costs: Berlin Process, Connectivity Agenda; WBIF, WB, EBRD,international partners;

Administrative Capacities; Effective Coordination among institutions.

Good practices: Investing in Railway

Tirana-Durrës-Rinas railway line is one of the most importantinvestment project, supported by EBRD and WBIF. The constructionworks have already been tendered;

The rehabilitation of the existing railway and the new section areforeseen to end by 2020;

The total value of the project is approx. 92 mil Euros;

The upgraded railway is expected to increase the efficiency and safetyof freight and passenger transport between Tirana, Durrës, and RinasAirport. At the same time, it will contribute to the economicdevelopment of the economic zone of Durrës, Tirana and the wholeregion.

Good practices: Urban Transport

Environmentally friendly transport projects in Tirana Municipality:• Green Taxis, Say Taxis – have been operating for a few years now;• Electric vehicles: State Police in 2016, Albanian Mail in April 2019; and

charging stations;• Ecovolis – Rent your Bike stations across the city; bicycle lanes;• New fleet of public buses; 16 bus lines: increased number;• 5 May – Tirana Car Free Day;• European Mobility Week and Car Free day, 16 – 22 September.

Fast charger electric car station in Tirana

Thank You for your attention!

Ms. Enkelejda Malaj

Director of EU Integration, Coordination, Agreements & Assistance Ministry for Infrastructure and Energy

Email: Enkelejda.Malaj@infrastruktura.gov.al